A tale of Live and Love

Sara Mitchell cherished simplicity. Growing up in a tranquil household with congenial parents and no siblings to rival, she relished a drama-free existence. As she matured, Sara began to view marriage as a potential disruptor of her contentment, seeing no compelling reason to pursue it.

After college, Sara eagerly established her own independent life in an upscale apartment in Spokane's North Hill neighborhood. Now at twenty-eight, she revels in her autonomy and the freedom she's crafted for herself.

However, her single status has its drawbacks. Married friends and colleagues frequently invite her to dinner parties, especially during the holidays, to "even out the numbers." Sara perceives this as a thinly veiled attempt to question her unmarried status.

This Christmas Eve, Sara reluctantly accepts an invitation to the Whitaker's home in Spokane's suburbs. She hopes to avoid the annual tradition at Peking Chinese Restaurant, where her parents often try to set her up with eligible bachelors.

Sara questions whether these setups benefit her or merely serve to satisfy others' expectations. She's aware of her fear of commitment and understands her friends and family's concerns, but she remains steadfast in her decision to remain single.

At the Whitaker's, Sara meets Andre, an enigmatic man with deep brown eyes and a brooding demeanor. Their initial conversation is awkward, with Sara mistakenly assuming "Andreper" is a nickname from his Navy days. Their exchange is strained, and Sara feels relieved when the other guests arrive.

The group moves to the drawing room, where a cozy fire and a beautifully decorated Christmas tree set the scene. As the evening progresses, Caroline, a friend of Talitha's, tries to play matchmaker, commenting on Andre's handsomeness. Sara dismisses the notion, asserting she's not interested in marriage.

Dinner unfolds predictably, with the women discussing domestic matters and the men talking about work and sports. As the evening wears on, the conversation turns to the future of artificial intelligence, with Fred, Andre's boss, suggesting that Andre might be more than meets the eye.

Fred's insinuations about Andre being an AI robot create tension in the room. As the group speculates about Andre's true nature, Sara becomes increasingly uneasy. When the conversation turns to the dangers of AI and robotics, Sara tries to change the subject by mentioning the impending snowstorm.

As predicted, the snowstorm intensifies, causing power outages and forcing the guests to stay overnight. As everyone settles in for the night, Sara notices Andre's aloofness and decides to engage him in conversation. Their exchange reveals Andre's analytical nature and his ability to predict the weather.

The next morning, Sara discovers Andre, or rather Craig Abrams, in the kitchen. He reveals that the entire evening was orchestrated to introduce himself to Sara. Craig confesses that he's a MIT graduate and works with Fred but assures her that he's not an AI robot.

The revelation leaves Sara amused and appreciative of the effort her parents and friends went to, to bring them together. As they discuss plans for Christmas Day and grab a coffee, Sara can't help but wonder about Craig's true nature.

Their playful banter about whether he's human or AI robot continues, with Craig quoting Shakespeare to prove his humanity. When he cuts his hand and bleeds, Sara is momentarily reassured but remains skeptical. She is still reveling in her doubts, but remains silent.

Their playful exchange ends with Sara storming out of the room, leaving Craig to ponder the success of their unconventional introduction. Despite her parents' best efforts, Sara remains steadfast in her desire for simplicity and independence.